Alexandria, VA — The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) has named 26 fellows to its 2026 ACTE National Leadership Fellowship Program. The program equips CTE professionals with leadership skills, policy knowledge, firsthand advocacy experience, and professional growth. The names of the 2026 fellows are provided below.
Early Professionals Fellows:
- Dimitri Ashby- Woonsocket Education Department
- Brittney Brisco – Bibb County School District
- Alicia Cook, Ed.D. – Wilco Area Career Center
- Joshua Carter, Ed.D. – Crowder College
- Joshua Gibson – Jay County High School
- Tasha Jackson – River Parishes Community College
- Fawn Wilde – Western Dakota Technical College
- Aaron Diaz – Amplus Academy
- Aiden Flynn – Stafford County Public Schools
- Hunter Christmas – Centennial High School | Las Cruces Public Schools
- Heather Dutrey – Clarke, Interstate 35, & Murray Community School Districts
Experienced Professional Fellows:
- Dipal Kapadia, Ed.D. – Lehigh Career & Technical Institute
- Samantha McGuane, Ed.D. – Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School
- Matthew Bechtel – Fairfax County Public Schools
- Jason Cooper – Cleburne Independent School District
- Robyn Castleberry – Moore Norman Technology Center
- Pam Kantack – Shelley School District
- Danielle Meyer – Prince William County Public Schools
- Courtney McCubbins – Mississippi State University– Research and Curriculum Unit
- Leslie Cooksey – Metro Technology Centers
- Devon Anderson Winters, Ed.D. – Waterloo Community Schools
- Kristi Lebkowsky, Ph.D. – Klamath County School District
- Christina Sargent – Rancho High School
- Nicole A Graves – South Dakota State University
- Kaye Harris – Polk County Schools
- Gina R Smith, DBA – Robert W Groves High School
Fellows dedicate a full year, from January 1 to December 31, to the ACTE National Leadership Fellowship Program. The 2026 cohort includes fellows from all five ACTE regions and most divisions. Doug Major, Ed.D. and Dawn Lindsley, Ed.D. serve as Fellowship Coordinators, supporting Experienced and Early Professionals in their respective roles.
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The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, school counselors, guidance and career development professionals and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources, professional development and leadership opportunities.
